Cayman Alignment

[rumatt]

So I took my Cayman in for the free alignment. It's a long story, but I ended up leaving with a different alignment than I wanted. I'm somewhat annoyed with both myself and them, and am thinking of asking them to redo it.

FRONT
Camber: -1.0 per side (OEM range: -0.5 to -1.0
Total Toe: 0.06 degrees (OEM range: 0.00 to 0.17)

REAR
Camber: -1.9 per side (OEM range: -1.4 to -1.9)
Total Toe: 0.25 degrees (OEM range: 0.00 to 0.33)

The rear toe and camber seems high to me and will do nothing but accelerate tire wear. I wanted for 0 toe up front for turn in, and less toe and camber in the rear.

Does anyone want to try to convince me that what I got is actually good and I should keep it?

[rumatt]

I went to Speed Sport Tuning in CT. It's a pretty cool shop. Loads of porches parked everywhere. I'll post some pics in a bit.

[bren]

Looks like a shop that has a clue, did they offer any explanation for those numbers? Maybe just drive it and enjoy.

[equ]

Those numbers look good to me, unless you had competition in mind, at which point I'd be out of my depth to say anything. But more importantly, does the car feel bad? How OCD are we, us mudgeons?

[John V]

Looks fine to me.

[FC]

They are within factory range and they seem like a competent shop. I'd give it a shot and see how you like it (assuming you can tell a difference). You can always CYA by writing a note t the effect of "you guys didn't really do what I wanted but I'm trusting you and will give this a shot."

That way if in a few weeks you can't stand it you will have something to fall back on. Maybe.

[clyde]

I'm kind of wondering what the "long story" is. I know how they happen and I bet I'll be able to identify, but it's not that important. Yet...

[rumatt]

Originally Posted by bren

Looks like a shop that has a clue, did they offer any explanation for those numbers?

It was bizarre. When I told him what specs I wanted, he was borderline annoyed and condescending, saying that anything beyond OEM specs will just accelerate tire wear and is pointless on the street. He was recommending more like -1.2 camber in the rear. So I said I was fine staying within spec, but I'd like it to be in the directions I was looking for. I asked what the specs for my car were, and he didn't know off hand.

Then he finally comes out with the results and

a) my requested alignment would have been fully within spec, and

b) after his lecture about tire wear, he gave me one that's even harder on tires than I asked for. He was excited to see that the R has more range for negative camber in the rear than the normal Cayman, so they maxed it out.

I am mostly annoyed with myself that I let him talk me out of what I wanted. But as long as this isn't going to be a tire eating machine (more so than it normally is) just keep it.

[rumatt]

Originally Posted by FC

They are within factory range and they seem like a competent shop. I'd give it a shot and see how you like it (assuming you can tell a difference). You can always CYA by writing a note t the effect of "you guys didn't really do what I wanted but I'm trusting you and will give this a shot."

It drives fine. And they did straighten the steering wheel perfectly. So yay.

I feel like there might be more of a dead spot on center (it was actually zero toe when I brought it in... just with a crooked steering wheel) but there's a good possibility that I'm just imagining it.

I was mostly concerned if the rear was both counter productive and will eat tires with no upside.

[clyde]

I think you're finding stuff to fret about.

Just drive.